COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM.  N.  C. 


PRESENTED  BY 

W.  W.  FLOWERS 


i 


Digitized  by 

the  Internet  Archive 

in  2015 

https://archive.org/details/sermondescriptivOOwhit 


if  DESCRIPTIVE  OF 

THE  LIFE  AND  LABOES 


REV.    WILLIAM  BANKS, 


PREACHED   AND  PUBLISHED 


BY    ORDER  OF 


THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  BETHEL, 


TIRZAH  CHURCH.  OCTOHKK  \K  IS75. 


REV.   JAMES    S.  WHITE. 


COLUMBIA.  8.  C 

PRINTED  AT  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  PUBLISIII.\<4  HOUSE. 

1875. 


SERMON 

DESCRIPTIVE  OF 

THE  LIFE  AND  LABORS 

OF  THE 

REV.   WILLIAM  BANKS, 

PREACHED   AND  PUBLISHED 

BY  ORDER  OF 

THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  BETHEL; 

TTRZAH  CHUPCPI.  OCTOBER  9,  1875. 

REV.   JAMES    S.  WHITE, 


COLUMBIA,  S.  C. 

PRINTED  AT  TUE  PRESBYTERIAN  PUBLISHING  HOUSE. 

1S75. 


9  7^.7  - 

^  ?9 

^'         |tt  ^emoriam. 

BORN  APRIL  26th,  ISU, ,  .DIED  lAECH  lltli.  UK. 

The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed. — Proo.  x.  7. 

The  righetous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance. — Ps.  cxii.  6. 

The  history  of  the  Church,  like  that  of  the  world,  furnishes 
bright  examples  of  remarkable  men.  They  appear  for  a  while 
upon  the  scene  of  life,  and  then,  having  performed  their  good 
work,  they  pass  on  to  their  reward.  In  the  providence  of  God, 
this  Presbytery  has  recently  been  made  to  experience  the  force 
of  this  truth  by  the  life  and  death  of  a  member,  whom  we  did 
not  hesitate  to  rank  among  the  purest  and  best  of  our  ministers ; 
and,  in  recording  the  event,  we  feel  that  it  is  proper  for  us  to 
pause  for  a  moment  and  let  the  lessons  it  is  intended  to  teach  us 
be  impressed  upon  our  hearts. 

We  therefore  turn  aside,  dear  brethren,  from  the  regular  duties 
that  have  called  us  here,  to  perform  a  special  service — one  that 
makes  this  an  occasion  of  deep  and  tender  interest  to  us  all. 
With  one  accord  our  eyes  are  now  turned  toward  the  vacant  seat ; 
our  thoughts  are  of  him  w^ho  occupied  it ;  and  we  are  painfully 
reminded  of  the  fact  that  we  shall  see  his  face  on  earth  no  more. 
Death  has  taken  from  us  a  dearly  beloved  brother,  whose  name 
has,  for  many  years,  been  associated  with  faithful  and  valuable 
labor  in  this  Presbytery,  and  whose  memory  is  embalmed  in  the 
affections  of  thousands  within  and  beyond  our  bounds.  He  had 
become  so  thoroughly  identified  with  this  body  by  his  constant 
and  long  continued  presence  that  we  could  scarcely  realise  that 
he  would  ever  be  taken  away,  or  that  he  could  ever  die.  But  so 
it  is.  The  Rev.  William  Banks  has  suddenly  disappeared  from 
our  assemblies.    His  spirit  has  ascended  from  an  honored  place 


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4 


m  MEMORIAM. 


in  the  Church  below  to  a  more  glorious  position  in  the  Church 
above;  and  now,  with  "the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,"  he 
is  singing  the  sweet  songs  of  redeeming  love  ^n  heaven. 

In  view  of  his  character  and  services  while  with  us,  our  feelings 
prompt  us  to  review  his  life  and  commemorate  his  virtues ;  and 
in  oifering  this  feeble  tribute  to  his  memory,  I  know  a  sympathetic 
chord  is  touched  in  every  heart  within  the  sound  of  my  voice, 
for  he  was  universally  known  and  beloved. 

THE  FAMILY. 

The  paternal  ancestry  of  the  Banks  famil}^  were  from  Scot- 
land. The  circumstances  under  which  they  came  to  this  country 
are  somewhat  remarkable  ;  and  in  this  connection  they  seem  to 
require  special  notice,  not  only  as  a  matter  of  interest,  but  as  an 
evidence  of  providential  direction. 

Just  after  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution,  w*hen  the  colo- 
nies had  established  their  independence  of  the  mother  country 
and  were  favorably  attracting  the  attention  of  nations  beyond 
the  seas,  many  individuals  came  over  to  cast  in  their  fortunes 
with  the  new  and  rising  nation.  The  climate  was  excellent ;  the 
laws  offered  protection  and  encouragement ;  the  soil  was  rich  and 
productive ;  the  land,  principally  forest,  invited  the  axe  and  the 
plough  ;  while  the  wild  and  unsettled  state  of  an  extensive  tract 
toward  the  west  promised  entertainment  to  those  who  were  fond 
of  enterprise  and  adventure.  About  this  time,  (1785-'88,)  there 
came  to  these  shores  the  grandfather  of  William  Banks.  He 
had  left  his  family  and  his  country  to  secure  a  new  place  of  abode 
for  him  and  for  them.  Finding  his  way  to  South  Carolina,  he 
settled  for  the  time  at  a  place  in  Chester  District,  now  known  as 
Blake's  Mill,  where  he  diligently  worked  at  his  trade — that  of 
clothier,  fuller,  and  dyer — hoping  soon  to  be  able  to  bring  over 
his  family  who  were  then  in  a  far  off  land.  These  anticipations, 
however,  were  doomed  to  disappointment,  for  in  a  short  time — 
three  years  after  leaving  home — he  sickened  and  died  at  the 
residence  of  Thomas  White,  Esq.  Away  from  home,  away  from 
old  friends,  "  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land,''  and  at  Fisl>ing  Creek 
church,  by  comparatively  strange  hands,  he  was  buried. 


REV.   WILLIAM  BANKS. 


5 


This  sad  event  was  unknown  to  his  family  for  a  considerable 
length  of  time.    Receiving  no  tidings  from  him,  his  son, 

SAMUEL  BANKS,  ESQ., 

who  was  then  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  holding  a 
lucrative  position  as  clerk  in  the  Bank  of  England  through  the 
influence  of  his  pastor,  the  Rev.  Henry  Hunter,  D.  D.,  bade 
farew^ell  to  the  household  and  sailed  in  search  of  the  silent 
father.  He  arrived  at  Charleston,  probably  in  the  year  1793  or 
'94,  only  to  learn  that  the  person  he  was  seeking  had  gone  to 
his  long  home.  He  fortunately  met  James  Peden,  Esq.,  who 
happened  to  be  in  the  city,  and  by  invitation  came  with  him  to 
his  home  on  Little  Rocky  Creek,  near  Catholic  church,  of  which 
Mr.  P.  was  a  ruling  elder.  On  the  following  Sabbath,  we  are 
told,  he  accompanied  the  family  to  church  in  Scotch  dress — short 
pants,  with  long  hose  above  the  knees,  shoes  with  broad  straps 
and  large  silver  buckles — and,  to  his  gratification,  he  saw  that 
the  people  and  their  public  worship  difi"ered  very  little,  if  any, 
from  that  to  which  he  was  accustomed  a!:  home.  Ah  !  how  little 
did  he  imagine  that  day,  that,  more  than  fifty  years  afterwards,  he 
Avould  be  on  that  same  ground  where  he  had  heard  his  first  ser- 
mon in  America — an  old  man,  over  whom  the  winters  of  three- 
quarters  of  a  century  had  passed,  venerable  with  hoary  locks,  and 
his  whole  frame  shaking  with  the  palsy — and  enjoy  the  unspeak- 
able privilege  and  delight  of  seeing  two  of  his  sons — Alexander 
and  William — in  the  pulpit  (the  latter  pastor  of  the  church,)  and 
hearing  them  both  preach  ! 

Contrary  to  his  expectations  at  first,  he  remained  in  this 
country,  living  at  Blake's  Mill,  and  making  his  support  by  the 
same  trade  his  father  followed  ;  and  on  the  6th  of  November,  1797, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Robinson,  whose  parents  were 
Scotch-Irish,  and  resided  in  Fairfield  District.  He  still  enter- 
tained his  purpose  of  returning  to  Scotland  ;  and,  accordingly, 
soon  after  their  marriage,  he  and  his  Avife  started  and  went  as  far 
as  Charleston,  but  on  account  of  her  unwillingness  to  go  and 
other  considerations,  no  doubt  providential,  they  proceeded  no 


346258. 


6 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


farther,  but  returned  to  Fairfield.  They  settled  permanently  on 
a  small  farm  near  Concord  church,  of  which  he  became  a  ruling 
elder,  and  from  which  he  was  a  commissioner  to  unite  that  con- 
gregation with  this  Presbytery  in  the  month  of  September,  1825. 
There  they  lived  and  there  they  died — she  on  the  23d  of  July, 
1846,  aged  70,  and  he  on  the  16th  of  January,  1851.  aged  87. 
They  were  strict  Presbyterians,  noted  for  their  industry,  integrity, 
and  piety,  and  it  was  their  constant  aim  to  train  their  children 
(eleven)  in  the  same  principles,  though  they  had  not  the  means  to 
give  them  the  educational  advantages  which  many  others  enjoyed. 
They  made  them  familiar  with  the  Bible  and  Shorter  Catechism  ; 
they  taught  them  the  way  to  the  church  and  to  the  Saviour,  and 
showed  them  the  path  by  a  godly  example.  William  Banks 
frequently  spoke  of  his  double  blessing — a  praying  father  and  a 
pious  mother — with  joy  and  gratitude,  remarking  particularly 
upon  the  smooth  and  uniform  tenor  of  their  piety  in  all  situa- 
tions. 

Samuel  Banks  was  a  useful  citizen,  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him,  and  for  a  long  time  he  was  entrusted  with  the  per- 
formance of  important  public  duties  as  a  magistrate.  He  was 
very  feeble  several  years  previous  to  his  death  and  sometimes 
wondered  why  the  Lord  detained  him  in  the  world.  His  comfort- 
ing conclusion  was  that  it  must  have  been  for  Ms  prayers.  He 
enjoyed,  in  answer  to  them,  the  exceeding  great  pleasure  cand 
blessing  of  seeing  all  his  children,  who  lived  to  be  grown,  (ten,) 
professors  of  religion,  two  of  them  ministers  of  the  gospel ;  two 
of  them  Presbyterian  elders,  and  one  a  Baptist  deacon.  Thus  it 
is  that  blessings  descend  from  believing  parents  to  their  children, 
as  God  hath  promised.    Gen.  xvii.  7. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  forty-seven  grand- children 
living,  besides  many  who  had  gone  before  him  to  the  tomb,  and  he 
required. his  executor  to  give  each  of  these  a  large  copy  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures.  Of  his  sons,  one  is  a  Presbyterian  preacher  in 
Louisiana  ;  another  a  ruling  elder  of  Pleasant  Grove  church  in 
this  Presbytery,  and  three  have  gone  to  their  heavenly  rest.  Of 
the  daughters,  three  are  dead ;  one  is  a  widow,  and  the  remaining 


REV.  WILLIAM  BANKS. 


7 


two  are  married — all  of  them  eminently  pious  and  useful  in  their 
spheres,  thus  making  a  wide  circle  of  happy  influence  to  the  praise 
and  credit  (under  God)  of  those  who  trained  them. 

RET.  WILLIAM  BANKS, 

the  fifth  son  and  ninth  child  of  the  family,  was  born  in  Fairfield 
District,  S.  C,  April  26th,  1814,  and  very  early  in  life  he  began 
to  exhibit  noble  traits  of  character.  "  He  was  always  considered 
by  our  honored  parents,"  writes  one  of  his  brothers,  "a  good 
boy,  dutiful,  obliging,  and  ready  to  do  an  act  of  kindness  to  any 
one."  Here  we  see  the  first  manifestations  of  those  rare  qualities 
which  developed  with  advancing  years  and  made  him  a  great  and 
^ood  man. 

He  commenced  academical  studies  at  a  school-house  near  Con- 
cord church  in  the  year  1829,  in  company  with  his  elder  brother, 
(Alexander,)  to  whom  he  was  tenderly  attached,  and  from  whom, 
accoi'ding  to  his  own  statement,  he  always  received  important 
assistance.  They  were  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Robert 
Munford,  a  graduate  of  the  South  Carolina  College,  and  a  mem_ 
ber  of  the  Covenanter  church  on  Rocky  Creek.  He  is  said  to 
have  been  "an  exemplary  man  and  a  fine  instructor."  Here 
William  Banks  pursued  the  studies  of  Latin,  Greek,  and  Mathe- 
matics, in  each  of  which  he  proved  to  be  a  diligent  student,  always 
prompt  and  punctual,  and  sure,  through  perseverance,  to  acquire 
knowledge.  The  next  year  he  went  to  Hopewell  Academy,  near 
How^ell's  Ferry,  in  York  District,  which  was  then  under  the 
charge  of  Rev.  Aaron  Williams.  Two  years  were  spent  there  in 
studies  preparatory  for  college.  His  brother  then  went  to  the 
West  and  he  was  left  to  work  his  own  way.  He  then  taught 
school  a  short  time  in  Salem  congregation  on  Black  River,  in 
Sumter  District.  As  well  as  we  can  ascertain,  it  appears  that 
he  made  a  public  profession  of  religion  in  1832 — receiving  his 
first  serious  impressions  on  that  subject  from  a  sermon  preached 
in  Purity  church,  and  connecting  himself  with  the  Concord  church, 
both  of  which  were  under  the  care  of  Rev.  James  B.  Stafford.* 

*By  further  inquiry  we  learn  that  he  joined  Concord  church  by  certifi- 
cate, in  November,  1837.  It  is  not  known  from  what  church,  but 
probably  from  Salem,  in  Union  District. 


8 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


In  the  year  1833  he  was  a  student  of  Mt.  Zion  College,  in 
Winnsboro,  under  the  instruction  of  Mr.  R.  L.  Edmunds,  and 
entered  the  Junior  Class  of  the  South  Carolina  College  in  the 
month  of  December.  During  that  winter  he  was  elected  princi- 
pal of  Mt.  Zion  College,  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  which  position  he 
accepted  in  order  to  procure  means  for  further  progress.  He 
continued  these  duties  until  August,  1834,  when  he  entered  the 
Sophomore  Class  of  Franklin  College  in  xlthens,  Ga.  There  he 
remained  three  years,  and,  in  1837,  he  was  graduated  with  the 
second  honor  of  a  large  class,  many  of  whose  members  afterwards 
became  distinguished  men.  The  expenses  of  his  education  were 
paid  with  money  made  by  his  own  exertions.  Some  assistance 
was  kindly  rendered  him  by  a  "Ladies'  Aid  Society'"  in  Green- 
ville, S.  C,  but  the  money  was  afterwards  refunded.  He  had 
determined  in  his  Senior  year  to  study  for  the  ministry,  and, 
accordingly,  after  teaching  a  few  months  in  Winnsboro,  he  went, 
in  the  fall  of  1837,  to  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Columbia, 
S.  C.  Having  completed  the  course  of  studies  in  three  years — 
helping  himself  on  by  teaching  school  during  the  vacations — he 
was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Bethel,  at 
Cane  Creek  church,  in  Union  District,  April  4th,  1840. 

At  this  time  he  desired  to  go  West  where  his  brother.  Rev.  A. 
R.  Banks,  was  laboring  ;  but  for  some  cause  or  other  he  delayed, 
and  was  directed  by  Presbytery  to  supply  the  churches  of  Salem 
and  Unionville. 

Catholic  church  was  then  vacant, .  and  the  attention  of  that 
conojreD;ation  was  soon  turned  to  Licentiate  Banks.  In  the  month 
of  August,  or  September,  1840,  they  held  a  meeting — Rev.  John 
B.  Davies,  Moderator — and  gave  him  a  call  to  become  their 
pastor.  It  was  presented  to  Presbytery  in  October,  placed  in 
his  hands,  and  accepted.  He  commenced  his  labors  there  imme- 
diately after  Presbytery  adjourned,  giving  Cedar  Shoals  one-third 
of  his  time  for  three  months.  He  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  Catholic  church,  February  25th,  1841,  at  a  special 
meeting  of  Presbytery.  Rev.  John  Douglas  preached  the  ordi- 
nation sermon  from  1  Tim.  iv.  15.  Rev.  John  B.  Davies  pro- 
pounded the  constitutional  questions,  made  the  ordination  prayer, 


REV.  WILLIAM  BANKS. 


9 


and  delivered  the  charge  to  the  pastor;  after  which  there  was  an 
address  to  the  people  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Caldwell. 

About  this  time  the  upper  part  of  the  congregation,  near  the 
old  Covenanter  church,  erected  a  house  of  worship,  and,  early  in 
1841,  Bro.  Banks  commenced  preaching  half  of  his  time  at  that 
place,  giving  the  other  half  to  Catholic,  and  relinquishing  Cedar 
Shoals.  He  was  married  December  29th,  1841,  to  Miss  Mary 
E.  Harrincrton,  dauo;hter  of  Rev.  John  Harrino[;ton,  of  Sumter, 
who  walked  side  by  side  with  him  and  assisted  him  as  a  loving, 
faithful,  accomplished  wife  can  do. 

The  relations  with  his  field  last  mentioned  continued  till  July, 
1847,  when  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  persons  received  certifi- 
cates of  dismissal  from  Catholic,  and  were  organised  into  a 
separate  church,  which  they  called  Pleasant  G-rove. 

In  this  vast  and  growing  field,  within  a  few  miles  of  his  father's 
home,  and  with  a  people  who  knew  him  in  childhood,  Bro.  Banks 
remained  nearly  thirty  years — teaching  school  a  short  time  near 
Catholic,  and  serving  two  or  three  years  as  chaplain  in  the  Fourth 
Regiment  of  South  Carolina  Cavalry  during  the  late  w^ar.  In 
all  situations  he  endeavored  to  promote  the  interests  of  his  fellow- 
men  ;  earnestly  worked  for  the  glory  of  Christ,  the  salvation  of 
souls,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  Church. 

Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  w^ar,  he  became  impressed  with 
the  thought  that  he  might  be  more  useful  in  some  other  field,  and 
he  made  two  or  three  unsuccessful  attempts  to  leave,  in  response 
to  calls  from  other  churches.  These  applications  for  release  were 
firmly  opposed  by  his  people  and  the  Presbytery,  but  at  last  they 
reluctantly  consented  to  comply  with  his  request,  and  the  ties  so 
long  existing,  and  made  strong  by  many  associations,  sad  and 
pleasant,  were  broken.  He  moved,  in  the  year  1870,  to  the  lower 
part  of  this  State,  and  served  the  Williamsburg,  Indiantown,  and 
White  Oak  churches  in  Harmony  Presbytery,  giving  each  one- 
third  of  his  time.  The  climate  not  suiting  him,  he  returned  in 
the  year  1871  to  this  Presbytery,  of  which  he  was  still  a  member, 
and  took  charge  of  Waxhaw,  Six  Mile  Creek,  and  Unity  churches, 
which  had  been  a  short  time  vacant.  He  became  pastor  of  the 
first  named,  and  supply  to  the  others.  In  this  relation  he  re- 
2 


10 


IN  MEMOEIAM. 


mained  one  year,  during  which  his  labors  were  richly  blessed  in 
reviving  and  strengthening  the  weak  places.  In  1872,  he  accepted 
a  unanimous  call  to  become  pastor  of  Unity  church,  and  stated 
supply  of  Providence  church  in  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C 
Having  purchased  a  home  near  Fort  Mill,  S.  C,  he  moved  to  it 
with  his  family,  and  for  three  years  was  busily  engaged  in  beauti- 
fying the  place  and  building  up  the  church,  when  the  Lord 
suddenly  called  him  to  a  more  beautiful  home  and  to  a  happier 
service  in  the  Church  of  the  first-born  above. 

Thus  we  have  before  us  in  a  rapid  sketch  the  prominent  points 
of  our  departed  brother's  life ;  and  now  I  proceed  to  a  more  diffi- 
cult undertaking — -to  show 

WHAT  HE  WAS  AND  WHAT  HE  DID. 

The  mere  facts  of  an  individual's  history  can  generally  be 
gathered  and  arranged  with  comparatively  little  trouble  ;  but  it  is 
not  so  easy  to  delineate  character  so  as  to  make  an  accurate  pic- 
ture of  the  man.  It  requires  but  little  effort  and  study  to  notice 
and  fix  in  our  minds  the  mountains  and  hills  and  prominent  places 
in  travelling  ;  but  when  we  try  to  get  possession  of  the  details  of 
the  scenery,  we  often  find  ourselves  baffled  and  perplexed.  And 
so  it  is  in  trying  to  present  the  scenery,  so  to  speak,  of  a  man's 
life  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  a  correct  idea  of  what  he  was. 
In  some  respects,  all  good  men  are  alike ;  and  hence,  what  is  said 
of  one  may,  in  a  great  degree,  be  repeated  of  another.  Espe- 
cially is  this  the  case  when,  they  are  engaged  in  the  same  work 
and  have  the  same  difficulties  to  overcome,  the  same  trials  to  bear, 
the  same  temptations  to  meet,  and  the  same  encouragements  to 
cheer  them  on  in  their  labors.  These  things  tend  to  produce  a 
common  sympathy,  and  to  develop,  in  a  measure,  the  same  char- 
acteristics. But  in  the  case  before  us,  there  must  be  something 
special  and  peculiar  to  itself.  To  be  esteemed  and  loved  by  all 
classes  and  conditions  of  people,  to  be  ready  for  any  useful  work, 
secular  or  religious,  and  be  a  leader  in  all,  to  be  entertaining  in 
preaching  and  conversation  to  all  within  the  range  of  a  promiscu- 
ous audience — in  a  word,  to  be  such  a  man  as  William  Banks — 
demands  the  possession  and  cultivation  of  more  than  ordinary 


REV.  WILLIAM  BANKS. 


11 


powers,  or,  rather  I  should  say,  a  very  remarkable  combination 
of  qualities,  so  that  what  he  lacks  in  one  direction  may  be  more 
than  supplied  by  what  he  gains  in  another.  A  man's  usefulness 
depends  not  so  much  upon  his  brilliancy  and  depth  of  thought^ 
as  upon  the  facility  he  has  of  reaching  all  kinds  of  persons  with 
his  power  and  mfiuence.  We  may  safely  say  that  the  lamented 
Banks  was  wonderfully  gifted  in  that  way. 

iSTow  in  (trder  to  unfold  that  general  thought  it  will  be  conve- 
nient, and  at  the  same  time  promote  distinctness,  to  proceed  with 
two  divisions  of  the  subject.  The  first  will  have  reference  to  his 
qualifications,  and  the  second  will  embrace  his  work — in  other 
words,  his  'powers  and  their  exercise. 

I.  QUALIFICATIONS. 

In  considering  these,  we  may  mention 

1.  Physical  strength.  He  was  troubled  with  only  one  w^eak- 
ness  in  that  respect,  and  that  was  near-sightedness,  which  he  did 
not  discover  until  he  attempted,  during  one  of  his  College  vaca- 
tions, to  assist  in  surveying  a  railroad  route  in  Georgia. 

In  his  younger  days,  and  even  dow^n  to  the  last  few  years  of  his 
life,  he  was  blessed  with  bodily  strength  and  energy,  and  was 
capable  of  wonderful  endurance  both  in  body  and  mind.  He 
underwent  great  fatigue,  and  thought  nothing  of  walking  home 
once  or  twice  from  Athens,  Ga.,  a  distance  of  more  than  two 
hundred  miles.  I^aturally  strong,  and  nearly  all  the  time  in  the 
enjoyment  of  good  health,'  he  was  enabled  to  bear  up  against  the 
wear  and  tear  of  mental  efi"ort  and  anxiety  in  carrying  on  his 
work.  This  is  a  most  important  matter  in  successful  ministei'ial 
labor.  It  has  been  observed  by  a  practical  thinker  of  the  present 
day  that  preaching,  which  those  who  have  not  tried  it  look  upon 
as  a  very  easy  employment,  is  the  hardest  work  in  the  world, 
because  it  brings  mind,  heart,  and  muscle  into  exercise — all  at 
once — which  is  not  the  case  in  any  other  department  of  exertion. 
It  requires  the  ivhole  man. 

2.  Mental  qualities.  His  mind  was,  through  effort,  strong  and 
vigorous  and  firm  in- its  grasp  of  a  subject,  though  he  may  not 
have  been,  at  first,  as  quick  as  many  other  men  in  a  new  field  of 


12 


m  MEMORIAM. 


study.  Perseverance  carried  him  slowly,  but  cautiously  and  care- 
fully,  to  accurate  knowledge  and  sound  judgments.  This  may 
account  in  part  for  the  well  known  fact  that  he  was  slow  in  form- 
ing and  expressing  his  opinions,  particularly  on  new  and  disputed 
points,  but  very  reliable  in  his  conclusions  when  reached,  and 
permanent  in  his  convictions  when  once  settled.  It  does  not  sur- 
prise us  to  learn  also,  as  a  natural  result,  that  his  scholarship  was 
thorough  and  accurate  ;  that  he  was  seldom  incorrect  in  his  quo- 
tations, and  that  his  advice  on  all  subjects  was  v/orthy  of  attention. 
He  does  not  seem  to  have  had  any  special  tendency  to  pursue 
one  particular  branch  of  study  rather  than  another,  as  is  the  case 
with  some  men,  but  taking  hold  of  all  alike,  he  was  able  to 
preserve  a  beautiful  symmetry  in  his  mental  training.  That 
peculiarity  may  have  prevented  brilliancy  on  certain  subjects 
when  first  introduced,  but  it  kept  him  well  balanced  and  free  from 
what  are  called  hobbies.  He  had  none.  There  never  was  a  man 
who  rose  higher  above  all  such  entanglements,  or  who  was  more 
ready  to  show  due  respect  to  the  opinions  of  others,  and  even 
yield  his  own,  if  necessary  to  advance  a  good  work  and  no  vital 
principle  were  involved  in  the  act.  His  mind,  moreover,  was 
well  trained  and  under  such  discipline  that  he  could  absti'act  him- 
self from  any  surroundings,  and  even  study  a  sermon  in  company 
with  others  v/ho  were  talking.  It  was  also  cultivated  in  the 
ancient  languages,  sciences,  mathematics,  and,  by  reading,  stored 
with  valuable  information  on  topics  of  general  usefulness — -includ- 
ing facts  of  the  times  and  those  things  which  belong  to  the  history 
of  the  Church  and  of  the  world.  He  also  had  a  retentive 
memory.  Years  after  his  graduation  at  College,  he  could  close 
his  eyes  and  demonstrate  from  memory  every  problem  in  Euclid  ! 
The  first  preaching  he  remembered  to  have  heard  was  that  of  Rev. 
Robert  McCulloch,  and  many  of  the  texts  were  never  forgotten. 
"  Rouse's  Psalms,"  which  he  loved,  he  could  quote  by  the  dozen, 
and  many  passages  from  the  Bible  and  classical  authors  were  at 
his  tongue's  end.  He  was  specially  fond  of  poetry  and  music, 
and  spent  much  time  in  antiquarian  research  and  local  histories  ; 
could  entertain  you  for  hours  with  stories  of  the  Revolution.  All 
this  afforded  a  broad  and  liberal  scope,  rather  than  a  deep  pene- 


'REV.   WILLIAM  BANKS. 


IB 


tration.  to  his  thoughts  and  expressions,  and  with  a  well  ordered 
imagination  he  could  present  truth  in  most  vivid  and  forcible 
pictures.  It  is  impossible  to  overestimate  such  a  preparation  as 
this  for  a  work  that  must  include,  in  one  way  or  another,  all 
subjects,  and  in  which  we  must  deal  with  all  kinds  of  people. 

3.  Social  disposition.  All  persons  whose  fortune  it  was  to  be 
acquainted  with  him.  know  his  remarkable  gifts  in  this  respect. 
With  all  classes,  and  in  every  situation,  the  same  gentle,  kind, 
and  pleasant  companion.  Here  his  range  was  very  great  and  his 
gifts  really  enviable.  Put  him  with  children — he  was  happy  and 
they  were  happy.  A  little  child  was  once  heard  to  express  her 
delight  in  his  presence  by  saying,  Oh,  I  wish  he  was  my  father." 
"  In  some  respects,"  says  a  brother,  "he  was  always  a  child." 
Put  him  with  young  persons — he  was  at  home  and  they  were 
entertained  in  a  pleasant  and  profitable  manner.  On  this  point 
he  sometimes  used  this  remark  :  "I  expect  to  remain  a  boy  as 
long  as  I  live."  Put  him  with  grown  persons — the  learned  and 
the  ignorant,  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  soldier  in  camp,  leading  a 
rough,  noisy,  reckless  life,  or  the  feeble,  aged  pilgrim  in  the  sick 
room,  who  craves  gentleness,  tenderness,  and  comfort — they  were 
all  delighted  to  be  with  him.  Even  the  gay  and  thoughtless 
worldling  found  something  in  his  manner  and  conversation  that 
attracted  as  well  as  benefited.  But  oh  !  for  his  brethren  in  the 
ministry,  it  was  a  joy  to  be  where  he  was.  With  them,  his 
thoughts  could  find  entrance  into  minds  that  were  engaged  in  the 
same  work  with  himself,  and  his  feelings  could  move  other  hearts 
in  the  great  interests  of  their  common  employment.  Nothing 
pleased  him  more  than  to  talk  with  others  on  religious  experience, 
interpretation  of  Scripture,  and  the  general  work  of  the  Church ; 
and  fortunate  was  that  man  who  came  under  this  influence. 

However  strong  and  sweeping  these  statements  might  be 
regarded  by  those  who  were  strangers  to  him,  we  are  sure  that  the 
facts  will  bear  them  out. 

It  would  puzzle  us  to  attempt  a  complete  analysis  of  his  social 
nature.  There  was  a  peculiar  mingling  of  humor,  seriousness, 
and  tender  sympathy,  moved  by  the  surroundings — all  of  these 
elements  working  together  and  regulated  by  his  one  great  desire 
3 


14 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


of  doing  good;  and  being  a  good  judge  of  character,  he  knew 
well  how  to  adapt  his  manner  and  conversation  to  others.  It  was 
his  custom  to  answer  questions  by  asking  others,  which  would 
enable  the  interrogator  to  help  himself  through  the  difficulty. 
In  thisVay  he  taught  men  to  think  their  own  thoughts,  and  it 
made  him,  in  a  very  high  sense,  their  kind  benefactor. 

He  was  naturally  grave  and  serious,  and  it  might  occasion  sur_ 
prise  with  some  to  learn  that,  under  that  sedate  face,  there  was  a 
vein  of  rich  humor;  but  "  there  were  times,"  as  a  devoted  friend 
expresses  it  in  striking  language,  when  Banks  would  unbend 
and  the  Scotch  wit  flew  abroad  in  sparkling  jets."  He  was  the 
soul  of  modesty,  but  very  comm.unicative  with  those  he  could 
fully  trust,  and  earnest  in  proceeding  when  an  opportunity  for 
doing  good  was  presented.  His  manner  was  such  as  not  to  repel 
but  to  attract,  and  he  possessed,  in  a  great  degree,  the  valuable 
art  of  leading  men,  unsuspectingly,  into  religious  conversation. 
No  wonder  that  he  was  so  useful  and  so  much  beloved. 

4.  Moral  powers.  The  qualities  already  mentioned  were 
sweetly  tempered  and  regulated  by  the  moral  tone  of  his  life,  and 
that  made  him  true  and  pure  and  good.  He  was  careful  in  making 
promises,  but  faithful  to  his  word  when  given.  He  was  uniformly 
governed  by  conscientious  principles,  honest  purposes,  pure  mo- 
tives, and  cautious  judgments — always  faithful  to  his  convictions 
of  the  truth  and  firm  in  his  attachment  to  that  which  is  right  and 
honorable  and  good.  These  principles,  moreover,  were  cemented 
and  established  by  habit  from  childhood,  and  that  gave  to  his 
character  a  charming  consistency.  He  acted  what  he  thought 
and  felt,  and  his  example  was  a  living  epistle  to  be  known  and 
read  of  all  men.  It  has  been  said  of  him  by  a  good  father  in  the 
ministry,  who  speaks  with  deliberation,  I  never  knew  Brother 
Banks  to  say  or  do  a  wrong  thing."  There  must  have  been 
something  remarkable  in  him  to  call  forth  such  a  remark  from 
such  a  man.  But  the  most  important  element  of  his  power — the 
crown  of  all — is  yet  to  be  mentioned  : — 

5.  Spiritual  qualifications.  Here,  brethren,  we  delight  to 
dwell.  This  it  was  that  mellowed,  and  sweetened,  and  exalted 
the  man  in  the  exercise  of  his  natural  gifts.    It  was  the  Spirit  of 


REV.   WILLIAM  BANKS. 


15 


the  blessed  Saviour  which  he  caught  by  living  near  the  cross.  He 
walked  with  Jesus ;  he  leaned  upon  his  bosom  ;  he  learned  the 
sweet  lessons  of  redeeming  love  at  his  feet,  and  hence,  as  a  Chris- 
tian and  as  a  minister,  there  was  gentleness,  meekness,  kindness, 
and  charity,  not  only  in  his  heart  but  beaming  in  his  very  coun- 
tenance. Like  a  bucket  let  down  into  a  well  and  coming  up 
overflowing  in  streams  of  pure  water,  so  he  seemed  to  come  full 
and  overflowing  from  the  living  fountains,  to  refresh  and  comfort 
thirsty  souls.  Here  was  the  secret  of  his  power  and  usefulness. 
He  was,  by  nature,  "quick,  impulsive  and  impatient,  but  grace 
so  completely  overcame  these  defects  that  his  name  was  a  syno- 
nym of  the  opposite  qualities."  With  this  to  rule  in  his  mind 
and  heart,  he  became,  in  all  positions,  a  wise  counsellor,  a  prudent 
adviser,  a  pleasant  companion,  and,  above  all,  a  godly  man.  If  I 
were  asked  for  the  prominent  features  of  his  religious  character, 
my  reply  would  be,  ''Faith,  love,  and  prayer."  Faith  estab- 
lished him  upon  the  Rock,  strengthened  him  in  his  work,  led  him 
to  Jesus,  and  there  you  found  him  at  prayer.  This  was  his 
reliance  in  every  emergency,  such  a  constant  exercise,  that  he 
frequently  indulged  in  ejaculatory  prayer  while  engaged  in  other 
work.  As  an  illustration  of  this  important  point,  one  or  two 
incidents  of  his  life  are  here  introduced. 

On  one  occasion  he  happened  to  be  in  the  company  of  several 
young  men  where  angry  Avords  and  excited  feelings  prevailed. 
After  they  had  talked  awhile  there  came  a  pause,  and  they  seemed 
to  be  waiting  for  Brother  Banks  to  speak  his  opinion.  He  felt 
that  it  was  a  critical  moment,  and  he  must  act  carefully — hesitated 
a  few  seconds — and  then  said,  "  Young  friends,  let  us  pray.'' 
Then  followed  an  earnest  petition  to  the  throne  of  grace  for  peace, 
harmony,  and  love,  which  had  the  desired  efi'ect,  and  accomplished 
far  more  than  his  arguments  could  have  done.  Prayer  efl'ected 
what  reasoning  could  not  do. 

At  another  time  he  was  preaching  to  a  people  who  had  ap- 
pointed that  day  for  fasting  and  prayer,  because  of  a  distressing 
season  of  drought.  Prayer  had  been  off*ered,  and  he  was  almost 
through  his  sermon,  when  the  noise  of  thunder  was  heard. 
Stopping  instantly  and  in  the  midst  of  a  lofty  flight  of  eloquence, 


16 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


he  listened  in  silence,  and  then  said,  "■  Methinks  I  hear  the  answer 
in  the  distance."  The  services  closed,  and  this  godly  man  went  to 
his  room  in  search  of  rest  and  for  qoiet  meditation.  The  clouds 
collected  and  the  shower  of  rain  was  soon  falling.  It  w^as  sug- 
gested to  me  that  Brother  Banks  should  be  aroused  from  sleep  to 
see  the  rain.  Approaching  his  door  I  knocked,  but  there  was  no 
answ^er.  It  was  opened,  and,  to  my  surprise,  instead  of  sleeping, 
he  was  at  the  window^,  his  ejes  filled  with  tears,  and  a  heavenly 
smile  playing  upon  his  face.  He  was  overflowing  with  feelings  of 
gratitude  and  praise,  which  words  could  not  express.  Thanks  for 
favors  were  always  sincere  and  abundant  from  him  to  any  one, 
but  they  completely  overcame  him  when  these  proceeded  from 
God's  mercy  and  love.  The  impression  it  made  upon  me  shall 
never  be  forgotten.  Neither  of  us  said  a  word.  I  closed  the 
door,  feeling  that  he  was  too  near  the  throne  of  Jesus  for  me  to 
disturb  him,  and  too  far  above  the  earth  to  talk  with  mortals. 
Now  we  may  mention,  in  addition, 

80ME  OTHER  FEATURES. 

1.  There  was  a  beautiful  simplicity  in  his  thoughts,  expressions, 
and  actions.  He  never  assumed  superiority  in  language  or  con- 
duct. The  simplest  and  most  child-like  manner  of  proceeding 
y^as  always  his  chosen  method,  and  yet  he  was  truly  serious  and 
dignified.  With  this  he  carried  truth  to  every  heart,  and  moved 
the  feelings  of  vast  audiences. 

2.  Humility  was  a  prominent  characteristic.  He  never  ap- 
peared to  think  of  himself  as  worthy  of  wearing  honors,  or 
capable  of  holding  high  positions  and  executing  important  trusts. 
He  was  all  the  time  advancing  others  to  offices  of  honor  and 
responsibilities,  though  he  never  shrank  from  duty  when  called  in 
a  proper  way  to  perform  it.  This  feeling,  doubtless,  carried  him 
too  far  in  that  direction,  and  made  him  distrust  his  own  powers 
and  fitness  for  work.  It  helped  to  produce  sad  moments  of  dis- 
couragement and  despondency  in  his  religious  experience  as  well 
as  in  his  studies,  interrupting  his  progress,  and  going  so  far  at 
one  time,  in  the  Seminary,  as  to  make  him  think  of  giving  up 


"REV.   WILLIAM  BANKS. 


IT 


the  ministry.  It  kept  him  from  rising  to  the  elevated  position 
which  he  might  otherwise  have  occupied  in  the  Church  and  in 
the  world.  The  whole  power  of  the  man  was  evidently  never 
drawn  out.  His  intellectual  power,  force  of  character,  social 
qualities,  and  thorough  cultivation,  fitted  him  for  wearing  the 
highest  honors,  if  he  had  given  them  full  exercise.  There  was  a 
latent  force  in  William  Banks  which  extreme  modesty  kept  con- 
cealed and  inactive.  This  may  be  called  a  weakness,  but  it 
certainly  had  many  advantages  in  enabling  him  to  avoid  other 
extremes  that  are  far  worse. 

3.  We  may  also  notice  his  warm  sympathy  with  surrounding 
circumstances,  by  which  he  could  enter  into  the  spirit  and  feeling 
of  other  persons.  Whether  it  was  the  little  child  in  joys  or 
troubles,  or  the  young  man  in  his  interests  and  struggles  against 
great  difficulties  for  education  and  advancement  in  life,  or  grown 
persons  in  their  efforts  for  improvement,  or  the  sick  and  afflicted, 
his  heart  always  moved  him  to  instruct,  to  comfort,  and  to  help. 
It  may  be  said  that  in  this  is  discovered  another  weakness,  and 
that  his  feelings  were  sometimes  allowed  to  control  his  judgment. 
But  if  he  was  ever  betrayed  into  such  a  position,  we  may  be  sure 
that  his  error  was  always  in  the  head  and  not  in  the  heart. 

4.  Then  there  was  his  sincere,  unfeigned,  overflowing  love  for 
all  his  fellow-men.  Their  souls,  in  their  temporal  and  spiritual 
welfare — in  their  eternal  interests — were  near  and  dear  to  his 
heart.  For  them  and  for  the  glory  of  our  dear  Redeemer  he 
loved  to  think  ;  he  delighted  to  work,  and  to  that  exalted  em- 
ployment he  consecrated  his  life. 

We  might  gather  a  great  many  expressions  which  he  used,  and 
relate  many  incidents  of  his  life  that  would  fully  illustrate  these 
principles,  but  that  would  carry  us  far  beyond  the  limits  of  a 
sermon.  We  must  pass  on,  therefore,  to  the  next  division  of  the 
subject. 

II.   HIS  WORK. 

We  are  prepared  now  to  understand  that  his  conception  of  a 
man's  employment  in  this  world  would  be  as  broad  and  compre- 
hensive as  were  his  views  on  other  subjects.  He  had  no  narrow 
or  contracted  ideas,  either  in  theory  or  practice,  but  seemed  to 


18 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


consider  his  duties  in  view  of  all  the  relatiom  in  which  God  has 
placed  us. 

1.  In  the  family.  It  is  not  for  us  to  attempt  a  description  of 
what  Brother  Banks  was  in  the  sacred  retirement  of  home.  Pic- 
ture him  in  your  imagination  as  he  carries  that  gentle  nature — 
those  tender  feelings  and  warm  affections,  which  made  him  a 
favorite  even  with  strangers — within  the  walls  of  home,  where,  as 
a  husband  and  father,  he  could  let  his  mind  and  heart  have  free 
and  untrammelled  exercise,  and  overflow  in  gushing  streams  of 
kindness  and  love.  How  sweet  must  be  his  memory  there!  We 
may  remark,  however,  that  it  was  his  special  aim  to  have  a  happy 
home — a  place  where  lo7e,  and  cheerfulness,  and  good  deeds,  and 
religious  influence,  should  be  seen  and  felt  by  all  who  came  within 
its  limits.  Especially  was  he  devoted  to  works  of  improvement 
and  comfort.  Visit  his  old  home,  near  Catholic  church,  where 
he  lived  so  long  and  spent  so  many  happy  days  of  his  life,  and 
see  there  the  works  of  his  hand.  The  orchard,  the  garden,  the 
vineyard,  the  shrubbery  of  his  own  planting — ^all  of  them  tokens 
of  industry  and  a  spirit  of  improvement.  Go  to  his  last  earthly 
home,  and  see  the  labors  he  had  commenced,  and  which  ceased 
only  with  his  death;  for  his  last  work  was  in  his  new  orchard. 
In  all  this  he  was  not  preparing  comforts  for  himself,  because  he 
knew  very  well  that  it  would  not  be  his  privilege  to  enjoy  the 
fruit,  but,  like  the  dear  Saviour,  he  was  making  ready  a  place  for 
others  whom  he  would  leave  for  awhile  behind  him.  His  thoughts 
on  this  subject,  as  he  expressed  them  in  his  last  letter  to  his  son, 
were  that  he  would  not  live  to  eat  the  fruit  of  those  trees,  but 
while  his  children,  and  grandchildren,  and  friends,  were  enjoy- 
ing the  results  of  his  labors,  he  would  be  eating  the  fruit  of  the 
tree  of  life  in  the  paradise  above.  Oh,  with  what  consolation 
and  delight  must  those  words  be  cherished  now ! 

2.  In  society,  his  efforts  were  for  the  advancement  of  every 
good  enterprise,  and  he  was  prompt  to  act  in  it,  particularly  in 
the  matter  of  education.  He  was  chosen  to  serve  several  years 
as  School  Commissioner  of  Chester  District.  He  felt  that  edu- 
cation was  an  all  important  consideration,  second  only  to  religion. 
In  his  estimation,  churches  and  academies  vyere  unmistakable 


REV.  WILLIAM  BANKS. 


19 


evidences  of  a  healthy  and  elevating  tone  in  the  community.  His 
influence  and  energies  were  thrown  earnestly  and  heartily  into 
these  causes,  and  many  good  men  to-day  rise  up  to  call  his 
memory  blessed  in  their  hearts,  because  his  advice  and  help  made 
them  what  they  are.  One  of  them  expresses  himself  in  this  way: 
''Alas,  I  feel  that  I  have  parted  with  my  good  right  hand." 
Having  had  to  work  for  his  own  education,  he  knew  what  it  was, 
and  while  being  a  strong  advocate  of  self-help  in  young  men,  he 
was  ready  to  encourage  and  assist  them  with  his  counsels  and  his 
means.  Then,  as  a  neighbor,  helper,  and  friend,  his  place  in  any 
section  would  be  hard  to  fill. 

3.  To  his  government  and  country  he  was  true  and  faithful  in 
all  his  duties  as  a  loyal  citizen,  exercising  the  right  of  private 
judgment  in  all  matters,  but  willing  to  yield  any  peculiar  views 
of  his  own  for  the  common  good  of  all.  Cautious  and  slow  to 
utter  his  political  opinions,  but  firm  and  resolute  when  duty  called 
to  action.  In  common  with  the  Southern  people,  he  espoused 
their  cause,  as  they  chose  to  support  and  defend  it  in  the  late 
war;  and.  mingling  his  patriotism  with  his  desire  for  the  salva- 
tion of  men,  he  became  a  chaplain  in  the  army,  and  underwent 
the  trials  and  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life.  At' the  close  of  the 
struggle,  when  our  hopes  were  crushed  and  our  country  bleeding 
at  every  pore,  he  returned  to  his  dear  old  home  of  precious  memo- 
ries, with  health  impaired,  from  which  he  never  entirely  recovered, 
to  find  his  library  greatly  injured,  his  books  and  papers  scattered 
or  burned,  and  a  general  work  of  desolation,  sad  to  behold. 
Enfeebled  by  disease  and  prostrated,  to  a  great  extent,  by  loss  of 
property,  he  began,  under  these  disheartening  circumstances,  to 
build  up  again. 

4.  Let  us  now  look  at  his  ivork  for  the  Church.  Here,  too, 
his  views  were  broad  and  liberal,  and  his  labors  correspondingly 
extensive.  These  efforts  were  commenced  in  early  life.  Imme- 
diately on  making  a  profession  of  religion,  he  went  to  work  in 
prayer-meetings  and  Sabbath-schools,*  wherever  he  happened  to 
be,  and  in  this  were  displayed  the  same  noble  traits  which  dis- 
tinguished him  in  after  years.     He  left  the  Theological  Seminary 


20 


m  MEMORIAM. 


in  1847  with  bright  anticipations  and  high  expectations  from  his 
friends. 

(a)  For  pasto7'al  work,  we  might  judge  from  what  has  already 
been  said  of  him  that  he  was  preeminently  well  suited.  With 
sound  judgment  and  prudence,  he  dealt  with  difficult  cases  of 
careless  souls ;  with  extreme  caution  and  tenderness,  he  attended 
to  matters  of  collection  and  discipline  among  his  members,  but 
it  was  always  hard  for  him  to  press  such  things  far  enough ;  with 
kind  feelings,  he  sympathised  with  the  afflicted ;  with  love  and 
gentleness,  he  approached  all,  and  with  earnestness,  he  carried 
the  message  and  promises  of  Jesus  to  the  homes  of  his  people, 
and  there  they  learned  to  love  him.  These  things  may  have  pre- 
vented him  from  taking  a  firm  stand,  in  opposition  to  others,  but 
they  certainly  made  him  a  lovely  pastor.  Now  look  at  the  extent 
of  his  pastoral  charge.  From  some  experience  in  it,  I  know  what 
his  work  cost  him  in  physical  elfort  and  mental  anxiety.  More 
than  twenty  miles  from  border  to  border,  rough  roads  to  travel, 
several  creeks  to  cross — yet  he  went  to  the  houses  of  his  congre- 
gations catechising,  comforting,  instructing,  praying  with  the 
sick  and  sorrowing — a  bright  example  to  all  his  flock.  There 
were  none,  even  to  the  children  and  servants,  who  did  not  love  to 
see  him  coming.  Nor  was  this  confined  to  his  own  special  charge. 
He  frequently  rode  many  miles  to  visit  the  sick  in  other  neigh- 
borhoods where  ministerial  services  were  needed.  These  features 
fitted  him  well  for  evangelistic  work,  and,  at  one  time,  he  mani- 
fested some  inclination  in  that  direction.  He  thought  seriously 
of  undertaking  a  mission  to  the  Indians,  including  the  charge  of 
Spencer  Academy,  but  finally  abandoned  the  idea. 

(b)  Preparation  for  the  pulpit  was  not  neglected.  These  duties 
were  faithfully  and  energetically  performed.  He  was  careful  and 
thorough  in  his  studies,  and  tried  to  take,  at  least,  two  days  of 
the  week  for  this  purpose,  though  he  was  often  interrupted  by 
necessity  for  pastoral  visitations.  To  his  appointments  he  was 
very  punctual,  sometimes  to  his  own  injury.  As  to  the  matter  oi 
his  sermons — it  always  evinced  careful  study.  He  combined  exe- 
gesis, doctrine,  and  exhortation  in  his  preaching,  which  was  always 
simple  in  thought  but  rich  in  truth.     Here  his  aim  was  not  so 


EEV.  WILLIAM  BANKS. 


21 


much  to  strike  deep  on  one  point,  as  it  vras  to  spread  the  truth 
for  all  to  enjoy  it.  And,  accordingly,  his  happiest  efforts  were 
in  preaching  on  the  Parables,  or  other  extended  pass;)ges  of  Scrip- 
ture, where  he  could  indulge  in  expository  thoughts.  His  ser- 
mons were  made  forcible  with  illustrations  and  incidents  of  real 
experience  furnished  by  reading  and  observation — all  of  it  clothed 
in  language  plain  and  simple. 

The  substance  of  all  gospel  preaching  must  be  ''Christ  and 
him  crucified,"  but  the  subject  is  capable  of  a  great  variety  in 
the  form  and  presentation  of  thought  according  to  individual 
peculiarities.    Brother  Banks  loved  that  arrangement  of  the  doc- 
trines as  found  in  the  standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
in  this  way  he  preached  them  as  he  believed  and  felt  them — not 
so  as  to  offend  others  of  different  views  on  our  peculiar  statements 
of  the  Word,  but  in  such  a  way  as  to  commend  them  to  the  hearts 
of  the  pious  and  to  the  consciences  of  the  careless  everywhere. 
God's  sovereignty  he  preached  with  reverential  awe.    Our  fallen 
condition  he  described  with  sorrow  and  pity,  as  he  depicted  the 
guilt  and  danger  of  the  sinner.    Bub  his  all-absorbing  theme  was 
God's  love,  which  his  tender  soul  experienced,  and  which  he  pre- 
sented with  melting  heart  and  flowing  tears.  Jesus,  our  Redeemer, 
with  his  invitations  and  promises — in  all  his  relations  to  his  people 
as  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King — this  was  the  distinctive  feature  of 
his  preaching.    It  made  him  a  sweet  talker  on  communion  occa- 
sions and  wherever  consolation  and  comfort  were  needed.  He 
loved  to  linger  at  the  Cross ;  and,  having  felt  the  droppings  of  that 
love  and  mercy  himself,  no  wonder  that  he  spoke  with  unction, 
powerfully  moving  the  souls  of  his  hearers  and  filling  pious  hearts 
with  gratitude  and  joy.    He  not  only  saw  the  truth,  but  beheld 
"its  beauty,  and  glory,"  and  power.    Feeling  its  influence  him- 
self, he  made  others  feel  when  he  preached.    There  is  scarcely 
any  one  so  hardened  and  unfeeling  that  he  cannot  be  touched 
with  such  tender  preaching.    Here  was  the  great  element  of  his 
power  and  the  secret  of  his  popularity  as  a  preacher.    All  loved 
to  hear  him,  because  he  struck  a  common  chord  of  sympathy, 
whose  vibrations  were  felt  in  every  heart,  whether  it  yielded 
or  not. 

4 


22 


m  MEMORIAM. 


This  brings  us  naturally  to  the  manner  of  his  preaching,  and 
that  is  not  easy  to  describe.  It  was  usually  without  notes,  or 
with  these  only  as  a  guide  to  his  thoughts.  His  voice  was  full  of 
gentleness  and  tenderness;  tone  slow  and  moving,  as  it  were,  in 
carefully  "measured  steps,"  except  when  he  became  warmed  with 
his  theme  and  soared  upward.  Coming  near  the  mercy  seat,  the 
shining  throne,  and  the  living  fountains,  he  ran,  in  rapidly  flow- 
ing words  and  heaving  emotions,  carrying  you  with  him  and 
placing  you  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  There  was  a  pathetic,  trem- 
bling, pleading  tone  in  his  voice  that  was  eminently  fitted  to 
move  and  melt  his  hearers,  and  in  which  he  was  scarcely  sur- 
passed by  any  one.  This,  with  his  earnest  and  affectionate 
appeals,  made  his  preaching  hard  to  resist.  He  reached  the 
minds  and  consciences  of  men  through  their  feelings.  He  set 
them  to  thinking  by  making  them  feel^  and  he  was  "  master  of 
the  art."  Those  onk  who  knew  him  and  heard  him  can  fully 
appreciate  his  power  in  this  respect. 

Extent  of  his  preaching.  Besides  the  regular  appointments  in 
his  churches  on  the  Sabbath,  he  was  frequently  at  private  houses 
or  stations  in  the  neighborhood,  holding  services  during  the 
w^eek.  This  he  always  regarded  as  a  very  important  work,  and 
as  a  good  means  of  reaching  many  whom  the  public  and  formal 
preaching  would  not.  Then  his  preaching  was  extensive  through- 
out the  bounds  of  our  Presbytery  and  beyond  them.  In  addition 
to  that,  he  was  frequently  engaged  in  assisting  neighboring 
brethren  of  other  denominations  in  their  meetings ;  for  he  loved 
to  meet  and  worship  with  Christ's  people  of  every  name.  In- 
deed, there  is  scarcely  a  church  in  this  entire  section  where  his 
voice  has  not  been  heard  and  his  efforts  blessed  in  the  salvation 
of  men.  No  one  place  could  claim  him  exclusively — ^no  one 
community  appropriate  him,  for  he  belonged  to  all  the  people. 
It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  know  the  number  of  times  he  preached. 
This  was  his  great  work ;  the  necessity  of  it  urged  him  on ;  and 
for  this,  he  said,  he  desired  to  live.  It  was  his  custom  to  turn 
the  attention  of  pious  young  men  to  this  work,  as  opportunity 
offered,  and  many  were  brought  into  the  ministry  through  his 
instrumentality. 


HEV.  WILLIAM  BANKS. 


23 


{c)  His  work  as  a  Preshyter.    The  rule  by  which  he  was 
guided  in  this  was,  "punctuality  and  readiness  to  perform  duty." 
He  rode  sometimes  many  miles  through  winter's  rains  and  snows, 
and  through  summer's  heat,  and  against  many  other  hindrances, 
to  attend  Presbytery  and  Synod,  and  to  Davidson  College,  as  a 
faithful  trustee.  "  ^ly  Master's  work  must  be  done."   That  was  his 
idea ;  and  during  his  entire  ministry  of  thirty -five  years,  he  was 
absent  from  only  one  regular  meeting  of  Presbytery,  and  was 
ahuays  present  at  Synod.    In  these  deliberations,  his  counsels 
and  prayers  and  encouraging  words,  were  highly  valued  and  ap- 
preciated.   It  is  not  strange,  therefore,  in  view  of  this  and  other 
qualifications,  that  the  attention  of  the  brethren  turned  to  him 
when  important  offices  were  to  be  filled  and  responsible  commis- 
sions executed.    Although  he  never  sought  honors,  yet  his  con- 
scientious and  thorough  discharge  of  duty  won  the  confidence  of 
his  brethren,  and  induced  them  to  choose  William  Banks  for 
places  of  responsibility  and  trust.    Duty  was  performed  first, 
and  then  the  honors  followed,  as  will  always  be  the  case.  We 
find  that,  besides  the  private  work  which  Presbytery  often  put  on 
him,  he  was  for  many  years  a  director  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary, in  Columbia,  S.  C,  by  appointment  from  his  Synod.  For 
twenty  years,  from  April,  1847,  he  was  Stated  Clerk  and  Trea- 
surer of  his  Presbytery,  "serving  without  fee  or  reward,  save  the 
opportunity  of  doing  good."    Seven  years  past,  he  was  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina,  as  successor  to  Dr.  Girar- 
deau, in  which  office  he  wrote  the  last  letter  of  his  life,  makino; 
application  for  the  volumes  of  the  lost  Records  of  Synod,  which 
had  been  kept  at  Philadelphia  since  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  1861.    For  twenty-five  or  thirty  years  he  was  a 
trustee  of  Davidson  College,  an  institution  greatly  indebted  to 
him  for  its  success.    He  loved  and  warml}-  supported  it  with  his 
prayers  and  efforts;  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  ex  officio  chairman  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee. 

To  him  also  were  entrusted  many  important  duties  by  commis- 
sion from  Presbytery.  He  was  several  times  a  member  of  our 
General  Assembly ;  and  especially  was  his  presence  wanted  when 


24 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


delicate  and  responsible  interests  were  to  be  managed.  He  was 
sent  to  the  Independent  Presbytery  by  his  brethren  in  1863,  to 
promote  and  secure  a  union  between  that  body  and  his  own.  His 
address  on  that  occasion  is  said  by  those  who  heard  it  to  have 
been  one  of  great  eloquence  and  power  towards  the  end  in  view. 

These  things  required  much  thought  and  devotion  to  duty,  and 
also  an  abundance  of  hard  work;  and  they  indicate,  at  least  in 
the  estimation  of  his  brethren,  talents  and  acquirements  of  no 
ordinary  kind.  In  the  light  of  these  facts,  we  can  form  an  idea 
of  his  life  and  labors.    Now  let  us  briefly  examine — 

THE  RESULTS. 

It  is  impossible  to  sum  up  accurately  the  results  of  such  a  life. 
How  many  streams  of  good  influences  he  started,  and  how  many 
forces  he  put  in  motion  in  all  these  relations,  which  he,  or  we, 
will  not  know  until  the  great. day  of  revelation  arrives! — streams 
that  w^ill  continue  to  flow  down  the  line  of  generations  yet  to 
come !  The  power  and  good  works  of  such  a  man,  as  he  toiled 
from  day  to  day,  and  from  month  to  month,  through  more  than 
fifty  years,  are  far  beyond  our  ability  to  estimate.  Even  what 
we  do  know  cannot  be  compressed  into  a  sermon.  He  preached 
a  short  time  in  Union  District,  but  not  long  enough  to  notice  any 
visible  results.  In  Catholic  and  Pleasant  Grove  congregations, 
where  he  labored  for  so  many  years,  his  efforts  were  abundantly 
blessed.  When  he  came  to  Catholic,  they  reported  two  hundred 
members  on  their  roll,  but  there  were  not  that  many  active  mem- 
bers— not  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and  about  thirty  at 
Pleasant  Grove.  In  the  first  ten  years  the  aggregate  in  the  two 
churches  reached  more  than  five  hundred,  notwithstanding  four 
emigrations  from  them  to  the  West  during  that  time :  one  to 
Mississippi,  one  to  Tennessee,  one  each  to  Arkansas  and  Georgia. 
These  formed  churches  where  they  went,  and  one  or  two  of  them 
were  strong  enough  to  invite  Brother  Banks  to  be  their  pastor, 
but  he  declined.  During  his  stay  with  Catholic  and  Pleasant 
^  Grove,  he.  received  more  than  seven  hundred  members  into  the 
Church,  six  of  whom  entered  the  ministry;  baptized  over  eleven 
hundren,  (including  children  ;)  performed  nearly  three  hundred 


REV.   WILLIAM  BANKS. 


25 


marriage  ceremonies,  and  served  at  many  funerals.  The  people 
grew  up  with  him  as  their  pastor  and  regarded  him  almost  as  a 
father.  They  gathered  around  him  at  church,  and  loved  to  hear 
him  talk  or  preach.  He  lived  to  marry  those  whom  he  had  bap- 
tized in  infancy,  and  the  hearts  of  the  people  were  bound  to  him 
by  many  strong  and  tender  ties.  How  natural  it  was,  therefore, 
for  them,  and  for  Presbytery,  too,  to  oppose  and  resist  his  appli- 
cation for  release,  when  he  was  convinced  that  duty  bade  him  go 
elsewhere!  How  great  and  terrible  must  have  been  the  struggle 
of  his  own  heart,  as  he  thought  of  leaving  this  charge,  of  so  many 
delightful  memories!  He,  however.  Avas  firmly  persuaded  in  his 
own  mind  that  he  ought  to  go  to  a  new  field,  and  give  place  to 
some  other  man.  who  might  be  able  to  accomplish  more  in  this 
large  field  than  he,  in  his  feeble  health,  was  doing,  and,  after  two 
or  three  applications,  they  let  him  go.  He  preached  his  last 
sermons,  before  leaving,  in  February,  1871.  But  whatever  may 
be  thouo;ht  of  his  action  in  this  matter,  let  us  consider  it  in  the 
light  of  what  followed,  and  we  may  be  able  to  see  that  God's 
hand  w^as  in  it.  In  Williamsburg,  whither  he  went  first,  his  labors 
were  blessed  as  a  peace-maker  and  healer  of  long-standing  divis- 
ions, restoring  harmony,  and  placing  the  churches  in  good 
working  order.  This  was  a  peculiar  power  with  him — harmo- 
nising different  and  even  opposing  elements,  and  thus  removing 
friction.  It  made  him  a  gentle  guide,  rather  than  a  .positive 
leader.  Peace  and  harmony  were,  in  his  opinion,  as  necessary 
to  successful  work  as  they  were  to  happy  association  with  others  ; 
and,  in  the  army,  his  great  work  was  to  bring  different  denomi- 
nations of  Christians  into  united  labors  for  the  cause  of  their 
common  Saviour.  At  Waxhaw,  and  Six  Mile,  and  Providence, 
he  was  successful  in  greatly  strengthening  the  churches  ;  and, 
lastly,  at  Unity,  the  change  wrought,  through  his  instrumentality, 
was  truly  wonderful.  The  church  was  raised  almost  from  death 
to  life  ;  the  membership  more  than  doubled;  Christians  quickened 
and  drawn  together  in  active  work,  and,  at  his  death,  it  was  one 
of  the  most  promising  fields  in  our  Presbytery.  Brethren  of 
Unity,  well  may  you  moui'n  and  weep  ;  but  take  up  the  fiillen 
5 


26 


IN  MEMORIAM, 


banner ;  let  not  his  work  be  lost ;  be  faithful,  and  the  Lord  grant 
you  another  under-shepherd  in  his  own  good  time. 

Add  to  this  the  effects  which  cannot  be  gathered  up,  but  which 
we  know  must  have  been  great  in  other  churches  which  he  occa- 
sionally visited  and  where  he  preached  and  mingled  with  the 
people,  and  we  can  thus  form  a  conception  of  his  great  work,  and 
be  ready  to  thank  Grod  that  he  gave  us  such  a  man — -but  oh,  the 
responsibility  of  him  upon  whom  his  mantle,  in  God's  providence, 
must  fall !  Brother  Banks  was  not  perfect;  he  would  not  allow 
me  to  say  that  he  was,  if  he  were  here.  We  make  no  such  claims 
for  him,  or  for  any  other  one  of  Adam's  fallen  race  ;  but  we  can 
say  that  he  was  so  far  on  in  that  direction  as  to  be,  in  every  re- 
spect, worthy  of  our  highest  esteem,  and  in  very  many  noble 
traits  of  character,  a  model  man. 

CLOSING  SCENES. 

He  died  on  Wednesday,  March  17th,  187-5,  aged  sixty  years, 
ten  months,  and  twenty-one  days,  leaving  a  wife  and  two  chil- 
dren— -the  son  now  livino;  at  Fort  Mill,  S.  C,  and  the  daughter 
is  the  wife  of  Rev.  J,  B.  Mack,  of  North  Carolina.  Let  us  not 
forget  in  our  sympathies  and  prayeri^  ^'the  widow  and  the  father- 
less in  their  affliction." 

For  some  time  previous  to  his  death  his  health  had  not  been 
good,  and  he  was  subject  to  attacks  of  some  heart  affection  which 
produced  smothering  sensations  of  a  most  distressing  kind,  but 
there  was  no  alarm,  and  no  physician  called  in.  He  himself  no 
doubt  thought  that  his  end  might  be  near;  that  the  Lord  would 

come  quickly"  and  take  him  away  suddenly,  for  he  expressed 
his  fears  of  dying  on  the  roadside,  with  no  person  near  him  ;  but 
still  he  worked  on  as  usual,  preaching  at  Unity  and  Providence, 
which  was  twelve  miles  distant  from  his  home.  He  rode  to  the 
latter  church  in  the  rain  to  preach,  ten  days  before  he  died,  and 
never  relaxed  his  ministerial  efforts ;  thus  having  his  special  desire 
gratified,  to  wit  :  tha;t  he  might  die,  if  the  Lord  willed,  "  in  the 
harness,"  and  not  be  laid  aside  as  an  invalid,  which  he  greatly 
dreaded.    Another  wish  was  granted — that  he  might  be  able  to 


KEV.  WILLIAM  BANKS. 


27 


secure  a  home  for  his  family  and  make  a  certain  provision  for 
their  benefit,  when  he  had  passed  away.  In  one  hope,  ho^vever, 
he  was  disappointed — that  he  might  live  to  visit  the  "old  Catho- 
lic" church  again.  He  expected  to  go  there  as  soon  as  the  weather 
became  more  pleasant,  but  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  deny  him 
that  pleasure. 

These  attacks  became  more  severe  and  frequent  during  the 
last  month  of  his  life,  and,  on  the  day  of  his  departure,  after  a 
restless  night,  but  a  sweet  morning  sleep,  he  was  in  the  orchard 
eno;ao;ed  in  settino-  out  fruit  trees.  The  blow  came  in  an  instant, 
and  our  dear  brother  sank  upon  the  ground,  to  rise,  of  his  own 
strength,  no  more.  His  wife  was  summoned :  she  came,  and  to 
her  he  said,  "Well,  I  have  seen  the  last  of  it  now  ;"  evidently 
meaning  that  his  work  on  earth  was  done,  and  that  the  last  attack 
was  then  on  him.  With  some  difficulty  they  took  him,  on  a 
horse,  tc  the  house,  where  he  suffered  intensely  for  two  hours, 
and  then  took  his  flight  for  the  world  of  glory. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  we  have  no  connected  words  froui 
the  dying  lips  of  such  a  man.  But  his  life  plainly  indicates  what 
he  must  have  been  in  death,  and  into  what  happiness  he  was 
ushered — ^ 

"  An  honored  life,  a  peaceful  death, 
And  heaven  to  crown  it  all.'' 

Like  the  Apostle  Paul,  in  approaching  the  closing  scenes  of 
his  life  on  earth — standing,  as  it  were,  between  the  two  worlds, 
he  could  say,  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  kept  the  faith, 
I  have  finished  my  course  ;  henceforth  there  is  a  crown  of  righte- 
ousness laid  up  for  me."  The  impression  made  upon  a  friend, 
who  stood  by  his  bedside,  was,  that  he  was  entirely  taken  up  with 
heavenly  things ;  for  when  he  did  not  seem  to  be  conscious  of 
anything  around  him,  he  was  uttering  a  broken  sentence  of  prayer, 
something  like  this — Comfort — me — Father — in — this — trying 
— hour. 

During  his  last  years,  he  had  become  more  spiritual  and 
heavenly-minded.  There  was  more  unction  and  tender  feeling 
both  in  conversation  and  preaching.  Especially  was  this  mani- 
fested in  devotional  exercises  and  at. the  family  altar.    His  talks 


28 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


on  personal  and  experimental  religion  were  more  frequent  and 
earnest,  and  in  his  discourses  there  was  always  "  some  reference  to 
death,  judgment,  and  eternity."  God  was  rapidly  preparing  him 
for  heaven.  His  last  sermon,  which  is  said  to  have  been  very 
solemn  and  impressive,  was  preached  in  Unity  church,  from  He- 
brews ix.  27-28  :  And  as  it  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die, 
but  after  this  the  judgment:  so  Christ  was  once  offered  ^o  bear 
the  sins  of  many  ;  and  unto  them  that  look  for  him,  shall  he  ap- 
pear the  second  time,  without  sin,  unto  salvation."  After  that, 
his  thoughts  appeared  to  go  within  the  veil  and  dwell  upon  the 
scenes  beyond  this  world,  for  he  left  among  his  papers  the  MS. 
of  an  unfinished  sermon  on  the  subject  of  lieavenly  recognition. 
The  Lord  did  not  permit  him  to  preach  it,  but  took  him  before- 
hand to  ex]oerience  the  inexpressible  joys  of  meeting  father,  and 
mother,  and  others,  "in  that  happy  land." 

In  the  cemetery  at  Unity  church  his  remains  are  resting  in 
hope  of  the  glorious  resurrection.  Let  the  evergreen  grow  upon 
his  grave,  and  be  watered  with  our  tears  of .  affectionate  remem- 
brance, as  we  continue  our  work,  and  hope  to  meet  him  in  a  better 
world. 

■  CONCLUSION. 

Truly,  brethren,  our  loss  is  great ;  it  will  be  felt  for  a  long 
time  to  come  ;  and  we  realise  to-day,  more,  perhaps,  than  ever 
before,  that  Brother  Banks  is  2;one  !  There  are  many  thino-s  in 
the  midst  of  our  brotherly  greetings  and  pleasing  surroundings 
at  the  present  hour,  to  painfully  remind  us  that  he  is  not  here. 
He  was  such  a  regular  attendant  at  every  meeting  of  our  Presby- 
tery, that  it  was  as  natural  to  look  for  him  as  it  was  delightful  to 
meet  him.  That  cordial  grasp  of  his  hand  ;  that  face,  beaming 
with  love  and  tenderness  ;  that  gentle  voice,  so  familiar  to  our 
ears  ;  those  counsels  ;  those  sermons  ;  those  prayers — oh,  how  we 
mJss  them !  "  Help,  Lord,  for  the  godly  man  ceaseth;  for  the 
faithful  fail  from  among  the  children  of  men." 

The  very  name  of  William  Banks  is  dear  to  us  all.  The  mere 
mention  of  it  thrills  our  hearts  with  tender  thoughts  and  memo- 
ries.   But  while  we  mourn  over  our  loss,  let  us  rejoice  in  his 


KEY.  WILLIAM  BA]S"KS. 


29 


gain,  as  we  think  of  him  wearins:  his  starry  crown,  strikino-  his 
golden  harp,  and  singing  '•'the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb"  in 
the  upper  sanctuary.  Oh.  ''what  must  it  be  to  be  there?"  Who 
would  call  him  back  again?  Behold  him.  in  his  pure  white  robe, 
sitting  with  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob;  see  him  walking  with 
Peter,  and  James,  and  John,  in  scenes  of  glory  unspeakable ;  and 
then,  in  the  climax  of  his  joy.  and  in  the  shouts  of  xllleluia  as 
they  pass  from  saint  to  saint,  until  every  mansion  rings  with  the 
sound — he  joins  that  innumerable  company  of  the  redeemed 
around  the  Saviour's  throne,  and  they  together 

"  Brino-  forth,  the  royal  diadem. 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  all.'" 

Oh,  methinks  if  we  could  hear  him  speak  from  the  spirit  land, 
he  would  say  to  us,  ''Wipe  away  your  tears  that  are  flowing  for 
me:  weep  not  for  me.  but  weep  for  yourselves;  talk  not  so  much 
of  me.  my  brother,  but  warn  this  dear  people  who  are  the  objects 
of  my  tender  alfection  and  love — warn  them  of  death  and  of 
judgment;  tell  them,  for  me.  of  the  love  and  faithfulness  of  Jesus; 
I  know  what  it  is,  for  I  behold  him  now  in  all  these  glorious 
realities.    Prepare  to  meet  me  on  this  happy  shore."' 

And  now.  with  the  application *of  that  thought,  I  close. 

One  by  one,  brethren,  we  are  passing  away.  The  names  of 
Walker,  and  Adams,  and  Davies,  and  Bishop,  and  Banks,  and 
others,  that  have  adorned  the  pages  of  our  history,  are  now  on 
the  list  of  the  departed.  As  they  ascended  in  their  shining- 
chariots,  they  threw  back  "  great  streams  of  light  for  our  comfort 
and  direction."  Some  of  you  who  walked  hand  in  hand  with 
them  and  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  their  counsels  and  labors  are. 
for  a  few  days,  left  behind  to  finish  your  work.  Some  are  now 
tottering  upon  the  brink  and  must  soon  cross  the  river — then  to 
join  them  in  the  heavenly  world. 

Sinner,  beware  I  The  realities  of  eternity  are  certainly  before 
you!  That  voice  which  warned  you,  and  plead  with  you,  and 
prayed  for  you,  is  hushed  in  death,  and  on  to  the  grave  you  are 
following  him  I  Your  days  are  numbered  that  you  cannot  pass. 
You  are  approaching  the  judgment  bar  of  Grod.  and  you  are  un- 
6 


30 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


prepared!  I  appeal  to  you,  standing  as  I  do  between  the  living 
and  the  dead — I  appeal  to  you  as  an  intelligent,  moral,  responsi- 
ble creature,  as  a  fellow-traveler  with  me  to  those  tremendous 
scenes  where  you  and  I  must  stand  or  fall — by  the  mercies  of 
God;  by  the  love  of  Jesus;  by  the  strivings  of  the  Holy  Spirit; 
by  the  glories  of  heaven  and  the  woes  of  hell ;  yea,  by  all  the 
interests  of  your  immortal  soul  for  time  and  eternity,  I  beseech 
you,  stop,  and  turn,  and  live ! 


Note. — In  preparing  this  memorial,  I  was  kindly  assisted  by  the  widow 
and  other  relatives  of  our  deceased  brother;  also,  by  a  few  of  his  friends 
and  brethren  of  the  ministry,  who  took  great  pleasure  in  contributing 
facts  and  suggestions.    Their  service  is  hereby  gratefully  acknowledged. 

Since  preparing  the  sermon,  and  writing  the  note  on  page  7,  I  have 
learned  that  Brother  Banks  is  said  to  have  united  with  God's  people  at 
Athens,  Ga.,  while  he  was  a  college  student  there  ;  and  that  it  was  prob- 
ably from  the  Athens  church  that  he  was  transferred  to  Concord. 

The  date  of  his  leaving  the  Theological  Seminary,  on  page  20,  ought  to 
be  1840.  J.  S.  W. 


Date  Due 


J 

I 


975.7    Z99  V.19 


S4615S 


THIS  VOLUME  DOSS  NOT  Cr^cUL^Ts- 
OUTSIDE  TH.  .XBKAHy  sGfLomf 


